DIABETIC EYE DISEASE MONTH

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY (die-uh-BET-ik ret-ih-NOP-uh-thee) Diabetes is a serious disease affecting more than your heart. Diabetes causes changes in all parts of the eyes but especially in the retina and lens.

People with diabetes can have an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. The high blood sugar levels of diabetes cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. Blood vessels in the retina swell and leak and they can close, stopping blood from passing through. Sometimes abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina.

High blood sugar levels can also cause clouding of the intra ocular lens of the eye with blurry vision as a symptom. This cloudy lens is called a cataract.

There are different stages of Diabetic retinopathy. Screening and grading of the progression of the condition is very important in the drive to prevent blindness